Cloud Computing satisfaction high among UK firms, study finds

As cloud computing in Europe continues to thrive, a recent study found the vast majority of organizations in the UK that are already using the technology, are happy with their services and will expand investment in the cloud going forward.

In a survey of 450 end-user UK organizations from a variety of industries conducted by Vanson Bourne for the Cloud Industry Forum, 48 percent of respondents indicated they currently use at least one cloud computing service, such as online email, cloud storage or backup.

Of those already using the cloud, the overwhelming majority – 94 percent – indicated they were satisfied with their cloud computing service. This, according to the report, suggests the cloud computing market is becoming more mature, and businesses are embracing the technology. Additionally, it suggests that businesses have become more comfortable with the security in the cloud and are confident in its data protection capabilities.

Surprisingly, cost efficiency was not cited as the main draw of the cloud, but, rather flexibility. Fifty-three percent of survey respondents indicated flexibility was the primary reason for adopting cloud-based services. Comparatively, cost efficiency ranked second with 16 percent.

Several industry analysts have noted that cloud computing has huge potential for the UK, as well as Europe as a whole. According to a recent report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, the cloud will generate more than $1.1 trillion in revenue for Europe by 2015, with approximately $169 billion of that in the UK.

Additionally, the study also predicted the cloud will create some 289,000 jobs in the UK by the end of that time period. The majority of those jobs will benefit the distribution, retail and hotel sectors, but a significant portion will occur in the public sector as well.